Our Staff

Veterinarians

Andrew Helmholdt , DVM

Dr. Andrew W. Helmholdt became an owner of Portage Animal Hospital in August 2005. He is a 1991 cum laude graduate of Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. His practice experiences have included Chicago, Grand Rapids, and Kalamazoo. He has special interests in cardiology/thoracic disease and performs echocardiographs regularly. In addition, he has a special interest in orthopedics and soft tissue surgery, dentistry, and general/internal medicine. His family includes his wife, Tonya, and daughters, Hannah and Olivia. They share their home with five cats, Bella, Mimi, Chin Chin, Little Miss, and Hope and three dogs, Lucy, Ellie, and Little A.

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Cynthia Lunney , DVM

Dr. Cyndi (Rieden) Lunney became an owner of Portage Animal Hospital in August 2005. After earning a Bachelor's degree from Kalamazoo College in 1991, she received her DVM summa cum laude from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1996. She practiced in Benton Harbor for two years followed by seven years in Grand Rapids. Her interests include internal medicine, feline medicine, and ultrasound. Dr. Lunney's family includes her husband, Michael, son, Tim, and daughter, Rachel, as well as her cats, Maple, Oreo, Camo, and Rocko and dog Hooch.

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Nichole Corner , DVM

Dr. Nichole Corner has been with Portage Animal Hospital since March 2009. After earning an Animal Science degree at Michigan State University in 1995, she went on to MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 1999. Her interests include general and internal medicine as well as dentistry. She began her veterinary career in the Detroit Metro area where she grew up; however, she moved 1½ years later to the Grand Rapids area after meeting and later marrying her husband, John. They now have two handsome boys, Mitchell and Owen, and a German Shepherd dog named Yago.

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Mike Lin , DVM

Dr. Mike Lin has been with Portage Animal Hospital since April 2011. He grew up in Portage and earned a Bachelor's Degree from Michigan State University in 1989. He went to work for Merck & Co. for several years before he returned to MSU and earned his DVM from the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1997. He has practiced small animal medicine in Oregon, Illinois, Arizona, and Michigan. His interests include general/internal medicine, soft tissue surgery, and dermatology.

Dr. Lin's family includes his wife, Dr. Amy, and sons, Chris and Alex. They share their home with two Golden Retrievers, Tora and Molly, Chris's snake, Glacier, and Alex's three guinea pigs, Chella, Jennie, and Squeakquel.

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Administration

Holly R.

Holly became a member of the Portage Animal Hospital in February of 2010, and she became the Receptionist Team Leader in February of 2011. She was born and raised in Portage, and graduated from Portage Central High School in 2002. Married to Chris Rogenski, she has two step-children, Christian and Skylar. She LOVES animals, and is excited to be working in the veterinary field. She has a full house of furry friends: Breanne, a Chocolate Lab/Rottweiler mix, Sye, a boxer mix, Scrappy, a Shepherd/Rottweiler mix, and Cowboy, a maine coon mix. She enjoys being with her family and friends and also loves to travel.

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Jessica M

Profile Coming Soon

Leah H. , BBS

Leah became a member of the Portage Animal Hospital reception team in October 2010. Leah graduated from WMU with a Bachelor of Science degree with a minor in Biology in December 2010. She plans on attending graduate school once she determines a concrete career path. Leah is new to the veterinary field and is very excited to be a part of it! She has one dog, Zoey, who is her pride and joy! In her free time, she enjoys shopping, movies, and spending time with friends and family.

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Kevin W.

Kevin became a member of the Portage Animal Hospital as a receptionist in May of 2011. As a recent graduate of Vicksburg High School he is the youngest member of the clinic. He is starting his freshman year at WMU this fall. He is unsure of his future career, but has strong interests in business, photography and art. He really enjoys working at the clinic, and has a keen interest in his clients, both two legged and four legged.

Donella L.

Donella joined our staff March of 2008, but she had worked for PAH for many years before! Sharing her life are husband, Dennis, son, Terry, daughter, Tiffany, and son-in-law, Brad. Donella is our Client Services Representative, and she is very dedicated to our clients and their pets! Her hobbies include boating, bowling, craft & antique shopping, and working hidden picture puzzles.

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Technician Staff

Caitie S. , LVT

Caitie joined the Portage Animal Hospital staff in 2003. She began working at Portage Animal Hospital as a student in the EFE program. While working at PAH, she attended classes online at Cedar Valley College and graduated in May of 2010 with an Associates Degree in Applied Sciences. She passed both the State and National Board Exams and is now a Licensed Veterinary Technician. Some of Caitie's responsibilities as an LVT include blood draws, catheter placements, anesthetizing and monitoring surgeries, performing dentals, and monitoring and medicating hospitalized patients. Caitie is also our LVT Team Leader and Gentle Leader fitter & trainer!

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Nicole S. , LVT

Nicole has been a member of the Portage Animal Hospital staff since November 2010. She grew up in London, Ontario and moved to Battle Creek, MI in 1996. Nicole graduated from the Veterinary Technology Program at Michigan State in September 2010. In her free time, Nicole enjoys playing with her boxer-lab mix, Meeko and her cat, Annie.
Kristin F. , LVT

Kristin joined Portage Animal Hospital in June 2011. She has been working in the veterinary field for ten years and has experience in general and emergency medicine. In June of 2009, she graduated Magna Cum Lauded from Baker College with an Associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology. Kristin lives in Schoolcraft with her boyfriend, David, and their two dogs, Rogue, a 4-year old Great Dane and Bubba, a 3-year old American Bulldog. In her spare time, she enjoys running, gardening and relaxing in the sun.

Assistants

Anita M.

Anita has been a member of Portage Animal Hospital since 2007. She grew up in Colon, MI, (the magic capital of the world). Anita had worked at a local Veterinary Hospital in Sturgis for a year before she moved to the Portage area. Anita's job description as an assistant is putting clients in rooms, blood draws, ear cytologies, and nail trims. Anita has two animals, her boxer/hound mix Finn, and her unique looking cat BoBo. In her free time, she enjoys time with her friends and family and watching a game of baseball, especially the Tigers.
Deb S.

Deb has been a member of the Portage Animal Hospital staff since May 2005. She has worked as a Veterinary Assistant since January 2000 and also works full-time at Kentwood Veterinary Clinic in Grand Rapids, MI. Her family includes two sons, one grandson, and a cockatiel named Buddy. When Deb isn't working she enjoys reading, jogging, disc golfing and roller blading.

Ashley F.

Ashley joined our staff in August 2008 as one of our dedicated Kennel Attendants. In addition to KA duties, Ashley also assists the technicians and OPNs. She has three cats: a Maine Coon named Skeeter, a orange Tabby named Maynard, and a silver Tabby named Sophie. In her spare time she likes to drive around in her car, draw, and listen to music.

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Emily W.

Emily joined our staff in September of 2010 and works as OPN, Receptionist, and Kennel Attendant. She brings three years of experience working in veterinary hospitals and over ten years experience working in boarding facilities. She enjoys spending time with her four dogs and her cat.
Jessica F.

Profile Coming Soon

Clinic Kitties

Britches & Bangles , Greeters

Bangles and Britches joined the staff of PAH in the October 2006. They showed up on the doorstep with another mama cat and five kittens. All of the kittens and other mama cat were adopted, and Bangles and Britches stayed here with us! They were dropped off in a cardboard box, which was all wet from the rain. Bangles and Britches are the PAH greeters, and they are always sure to say hello to our wonderful clients!